Snowblind by Michael Abbadon Read Free Book Online Page A

She gained speed, but when the bass tone pulsed suddenly loud and fast, she became frightened, whipping her head left and right. She heard Josh's calming voice in her earphones: "Keep your head still, Kris. Move with the sound." But the sound seemed to be all around her at once. She pulled to the side and tried to stop. Her momentum was too strong. The bass tone blared as she rammed full-on into a heavily padded post, bouncing back and rolling off into the springy net.
    She lay there for a moment, trying to get her bearings as the net swayed to a stop. To her surprise, she found her fear was gone. Then she felt the touch of Josh's hand.
    "You okay?" he asked.
    Kris turned her head toward him. "I thought you promised you’d watch out for me?"
    "Well, I’m right here watchin’, aren’t I?"
    Kris laughed and fell back in the net.
    *  *  *
    Linda Carlson stood in her parka at the window to the ski room, watching Josh help her grinning daughter out of the net and onto the floor. "He seems so good with her. How come I haven't seen him here before?"
    Andrea was signing papers at her desk. "Josh is a volunteer. He loves the work, but he has a job in Anchorage. He's only able to come up once or twice a month. I think if we could pay him he'd be here full time."
    "Kris looks so happy. I'm almost afraid to take her home."
    Andrea looked up, suddenly inspired. "Why don't you let her stay with us? Erin and I are leaving for Pine Summit at five."
    "You going to the condo?"
    "Myron had the day off from the station. He and Troy are already up there. We're going to spend the weekend skiing. Kris is more than welcome to come along."
    "Gee, I don't know..."
    "Why not? It'll give her a chance to continue her training. And you can have some time to yourself for a change."
    "Are you sure it's not an imposition?"
    "Not in the least. I'd like to get to know Kris better. And Erin would love the company."
    Linda turned and looked back through the window at her daughter. Kris was out of her skis; she and Josh were playing hide-and-seek.
    "I suppose we could use a little break from each other," Linda said.
    "It couldn't hurt," Andrea said, gathering files from her desk.
    Linda turned from the window. "I wonder if she'll go."
    "C'mon. Let me drop these off in accounting and we'll go ask her."
    *  *  *
    Josh pressed his body flat against the padded wall. He watched Kris turn and face the center of the huge room.
    "Ready or not, here I come," she called. She walked slowly forward, scanning the room with her headpiece. She started moving toward him.
    Josh held perfectly still as she approached.
    "I think I'm getting warmer," she said, her smile uncertain. She came right to him, stood within arm's length. Then she turned demurely away. "I give up," she said. "Are you still in the room?"
    Josh didn't answer.
    She waited a moment. Then, slowly, she turned toward him. She reached out, feeling the air, the tips of her fingers just inches away.
    "Josh?" she said softly.
    He reached out, wordlessly, and took her hands in his. A shimmer of delight crossed her face.
    Josh looked at her hands, her delicate fingers and perfect, pale, unpainted nails. On her right hand, a violet scar marked the web of flesh between her thumb and forefinger.
    "What happened to your hand?" he asked.
    "I was bitten by a dog," she said.
    "I'm sorry..."
    Josh stared into her mysterious, slate-blue eyes. She was lovely, dark, ethereal. A creature of heaven laid bare to the world. He felt drawn to her, and moved closer.
    Kris raised her hands to his face, and let her fingers tenderly explore its contours. Josh stood motionless, yielding to her touch. She whispered his name.
    He reached out, caressed her cheek. Kris turned her lips to his hand. The soft rose flesh brushed his fingertips.
    A door slammed. Josh turned.
    Lorraine was heading into the room. He took a step back away from Kris.
    "Don't hear much skiin' goin' on in here," she said loudly. Neither Josh nor Kris spoke.
    "You in